Heel-seat-rounding machine.



J; V. ALLEN.

HEEL SEAT ROUNDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 24, 1908.

MTA/[SSESL 13 COLUIAIIA PLANOGIAPH CCI WA SHINGTDN, D. c. Q

J; v. ALLEN. HEEL SEAT ROUNDING MACHINE.

. APPLICATION .FILED AUG. 24, 1908.

1,027,638, I Patented May 28 1912.

2' SHEETS-SHEET 2.

3 a a j 13 Q 1 I 11 l Z5 19 L/ U U T STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN V. ALLEN, OF SOUTH WEYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED SHOE MACHINERY COMPANY, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

HEEL-SEAT ROUNDING- MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 28,191 2.

Application filed August a4, 1908 Serial No. 450,042. g

and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Heel-Seat- Rounding Machines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to machines for rounding or trimming the heel seats of boots and shoes, and more particularly to machines for rounding or trimming the heel seats after the sole has been attached to the upper.

The type of machine selected for illustration of my invention is that employing a die or cutter of flexible material whereby it may be made to conform to the shape of the rear or counter portion of the shoe in order to trim off the heel seat close to such counter. In prior machines of this type the die was moved downwardly over the counter, and had imparted to it simultaneously with such downward movement an inward movement whereby it was shaped to the outline of the counter. By reason of the fact that the rear or counter portions of shoes frequently present irregularities in the form of projections and depressions, the die in such machines, being of thin flexible material, in passing over the shoe necessarily was deflected at points from a uniform curvature, and transferred the irregularities of the counter to the heel seat, the result being that such heel seat would be trimmed closer to the counter at some points thanat others.

One of the objects of my invention is to so arrange the shaping means for the die in such a machine, that the die will be truly and accurately fitted to the counter or rear portion of the shoe prior to the trimming operation, and preferably the shoe is carried by and moves with the die during its cutting stroke. To accomplish this result, prefer-' ably the shoe is inserted in the die which is flexed or bent around the counter and so positioned that its cutting edge rests upon the surface of the stock to be trimmed away,

7 I j v prior to the trimming operation, the shoe re- V. ALLEN, a

maining in such position during such operation.

Preferably the shaping means for the die is under the controlof the operator and is so arranged that the amount of curvature imparted to the die, which varies according to the size and style of the shoe being operated upon, may be adjusted to a nicety prior to the trimming operation.

Another important object of my invention is to provide in a machine for this purpose, a cutting die and work supporting means arranged for relative adjustment to bring the surface. of the work support into parallelism with the cutting edge of the die. Preferably this is effected by mounting the work support or cutting block upon a suitable standard, and providing means for rotary adjust-- ment as well as for angular adjustment of the block on such standard. The cutting edge of the die and the surface of the work support are preferably arranged in an in clined or oblique plane and at an obtuse angle to the vertical plane presented by the 'rear portion of the die. This arrangement permits the die to trim the heel .seat close to the outline of the rear portion or counter of the shoe, and is an important feature of my invention.

Another feature of importance of my invention lies in the construction of the die holder and in the manner of mounting the same upon a suitable carriage, which in turn is mounted on the reciprocating member of the machine. The design and arrangement of these elements is such that an adjustment of the alinement of the die holder and thereby the die may be conveniently made. Further, the relative arrangement of the carriage and the die holder is such that the working thrust of the machine is transmitted to the latter uniformly and over a considerable portion thereof and as a normal pressure whereby bending or torsional strains are avoided in this member. I

Another feature of importance of my in-f vention consists in an improved manner of mounting the die in its holder, whereby it is supported freely for movement in all directions, and thereby very efiectually caused to yield and to be made to conform to varying sizes and shapes of shoes while at the same time preserving a symmetrical curvature. The supporting means for the die which I have selected for illustration is in the form of a rod which is preferably yieldingly attached to the die carrier, and whose extremity sustains the die in such manner as to permit such movements.

A further feature of the invention comprises a construction by which the working thrust of the machine is transmitted from the die holder to the die itself as a normal and uniformly distributed pressure whereby any tendency to distortion of the die is avoided.

The die is prevented from coming in contact with the shoe and thus marring or scratching its surface in the cutting operation by'a protecting guard or sleeve arranged between the die and shoe counter.

' Another important feature of my invention consists in mounting this protecting sleeve in an improved manner whereby it is permitted to yield and to move with the shoe relatively to the die during the trimming operation. By reason of the very effective manner in which the work-supporting means and cutting die are constructed and arranged for operation, heel seats can be rounded on this machine before they are nailed, it being apparent that all sides of the heel seat are trimmed simultaneously, and there is no tendency to displace the sole during the trimming operation, no matter how insecure the fastenings may be.

Other features of the invention than those above pointed out, including important combinations of parts and details of construction, will be hereinafter more specifically described and claimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a front view, somewhat enlarged, of the upper portion of the machine includ ing the work support, parts of the base being shown broken away. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail view on the line m-m, Fig. 1. Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of a shoe with suflicient of the die and protective sleeve shown to indicate their operative relation. Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view illustrating the arrangement of the rear wall of the die relative to the work support.

The machine comprises a base or standard 1 having a shaft or other connection with any suitable source of power, which is preferably applied through a clutch con trolled from a treadle 2. This clutch may be of any suitable or well known type, the one illustrated being arranged to cause a single operation of the die when the operator steps upon the treadle, the machine then coming to rest with the die in its high est position.

Suitably mounted for reciprocation in the standard 1, is a sliding head 7, the same being connected by any suitable means, as for instance a pitman, with the main shaft of the machine, a crank or other device thereon imparting reciprocations to the head 7. The head 7 is provided with a lateral exten sion which plays in an opening formed in the side of the standard 1, and, as shown in the drawings, this extension serves to support the die, its adjusting devices, the protective sleeve, and'the other operative parts of the machine. The lateral extension of the head 7 is provided with vertical undercut ways for the adjustable carriage 26, whose position relative to the head 7 may be adjusted by means of the set screws 25. This arrangement supplies a convenient means for adjusting and correcting the alinement of the carriage and of the cutting die mounted thereon. Such adjustment is made by slightly loosening the binding screws 30 and then turning down either of the set screws 25, according to the adjustment required. Depending from this adjustable carriage is a standard 8 provided preferably near its lower extremity with a perforation within which plays the diesupporting rod 15. The die 14 is preferably of the form shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, and is of some suitable flexible material, as for instance spring tempered steel. Said die is connected as shown in the drawings to the die-supporting rod 15, preferably at a single point near its upper edge, though I do not limit myself to this particular arrangement. The die-supporting rod 15 is threaded at its rear end to receive a nut 17 between which and the standard 8 is confined a spring 16. This arrangement for supporting the die, together with the flexible character of the material of which it is constructed, permits the die to yield freely under the influence of the shaping devices. By removing the nut 17 the die may be readily disconnected from the standard 8.

The die holder consist-s of a pair of curved members 9, 9, which as shown approximate in shape the rear portion or counter of a shoe. ranged to inclose the die and are supported by wings 10, 10, pivotally mounted upon the.standard S and their top is in sliding engagement with the under side of the horizontal portion 23 of the carriage 26 which imparts to the die holders the working thrust during the cutting stroke. Located upon the interior of the die holding members is an annular projecting rib or abutment 24 and the upper edge of the die 14 is held in close proximity to the under side These members are arof this abutment, whereby the working thrust already imparted to'the upper end of the members 9 is transmitted to the die itself. It will be seen that with this construction the working thrust is transmitted through the relatively thin members of the machine as a straight line thrust andthat there is no bending or torsional strain imposed upon these members. Arranged upon the exterior of the members 9, 9 are formed, or otherwise provided, the wedge-shaped projections'or ribs 11, 11, which as shown, are preferably curved, andincrease in thickness from the top downwardly.

The numeral 12 indicates a forked lever which is mounted for pivotal movement as shown upon two studs that project laterally from the rear portion of a bracket fast to the standard 8. The forked extremities of this lever embrace the sides of the die holder, and have adjustable studs 19, which. engage in threaded perforations in said extremities, and are held in position by set nuts, as shown. These studs are'arranged to engage the wedge-shaped projections or ribs 11, 11 on the die holder. A'suitable handle 13 extends laterally from the forked.

. lever 12, andis located for convenient manipulat-ion by the operator, as shown.

The numeral 18 indicates a protecting sleeve, the same consisting of two verticallydisposed members suitably supported from a frame 20. This frame preferably comprises a plurality of vertically disposed strips of elastic material, such as steel, surmounted by a bridge piece 20, and is adapted to yield and expand with the die and thereby to always hold the protecting sleeve in operative relation to said die. To the bridge piece 20 is centrally attached a rod 21", which is fitted to play inan aperture formed in the horizontal portion 23 of the carriage 26. The rod 21 is externally threaded at its end upon which is fitted a nut 22, and is furthermore surrounded by a spiral spring or other suitable cushioning device 21 below-the horizontal portion 23 ranged a standard 3 for sustaining the work-support 5. Preferably an internally threaded nut equipped with a hand wheel, or the like, 4:, is swiveled upon the tubular member 3, and engages an external thread upon the standard 3', for vertical adjustment of the work-support 5. I The worlcsupport is also arranged for, rotary adjustment upon the standard as shown, and may be seset screw 27. The work-support is fur-V thermore connected to the standard 3 for pivotal adjustment in a horizontal plane thereon by means of the bolt 6 and nut 6.

For adjusting the work-support for; Wardly and backwardly with relation tothe die the tubular member 3 is pivotally sup ported on the fixed bar 3 and a downward extension is located between shoulders 3 on the machine frame and has adjustable stops 3, as shown in Fig. 1, which can be relatively positioned to determine the location of the work-support under the die. The cutting block which formsthe head of the work-support is shown as circular andmay be rotatable upon its carrier to bring different portions under the die and lengthen the period of usefulness of the block. By adjusting the block forwardly or backwardly by the stops 3 the wearing pointis changed with relation to the axis of the rotatable block and the block can be used longer.

By reference to Figs. 1 and 5 of the drawings it will be seen that the cutting edge of the die and thesurface of the cutting block or work-support are, arranged in slightly oblique planes, and that the vertical plane of the rear portion of the die is arranged at an obtuse angle to such planes. By this arrangement the die is enabled to trim the heel seat close to the outline of the back or counter of the shoe, and on a slight bevel, as will appear from Fig. 5.

In operation, the handle 13 is raised to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and the shoe is inserted in the die holder as shown in Fig.1. The handle 13 is then pulled forwardly whereby the .die holder causes the die to bend in conformity with the shape of the counter. The operator then steps upon the t-readle, whereupon the die and shoe are forced against the work-support, and the surplus material is trimmed from the heel seat.

' Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent in the United States is:

1. A sole rounding machine having, in combination, a die, means for causing relative movement of the die and work to effect thetrimming operation, and shaping means for the die arranged for manual operation 4. A sole rounding machine having, in

combination, a U-shaped die, forked die shaping means arranged to act upon the sides of the die and movable to shape the die, and adjustable means for varying the eifective width of the die shaping means.

5. A sole rounding machine having, in combination, a flexible die, movable means for conforming the die to the counter of a shoe, said means acting positively to prevent releasing movement of the die during the cutting operation and having-provision for adjustment independently of its conforming movement.

6. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a flexible die, a coo'p crating work support, and means for conforming the die to the counter of a shoe, said means acting positively to prevent releasing movement of the die during the cutting operation.

7. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a flexible die, a work support, means for causing relative movement of the die and work support, and movable means for closing the flexible die about one end of a shoe, said means acting in each of its positions during the closing-in operation to prevent positively expansion of the die.

8. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a flexible die, the sides whereof are laterally movable to conform with a shoe presented to the die, means for bodily moving the die to effect the cutting operation, and independent die shaping means including a hand lever arranged to swing in a vertical plane.

9. In a heel seat rounding machine, the combination with a reciprocatory member having a horizontal pressure surface, of a die movable with said member and having a horizontal pressure receiving edge and a cutting edge disposed in an oblique plane, and sustaining means arranged to present a shoe in a plane oblique to the path of movement of the die.

10. In a heel seat rounding machine, the combination with a die having vertical sides and a cutting edge located in an oblique plane, a work support disposed with its effective face parallel to the plane of said cutting edge, means for shaping the die to a shoe arranged to maintain the sides of the die vertical in all positions, and means for causing relative movement of the die and support in a direction parallel with the sides of the die.

11. In a heel seat rounding machine, the combination with a die, of shoe sustaining means, said parts being arranged for relaative angular and rotary adjustment.

12. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a die, of shoe protecting means associated therewith, and

yielding means for permitting relative movement between said die and shoe protecting means.

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a die, of shoe protecting means arranged within said die, and yielding means for permitting relative movement between said die and shoe protecting means.

1 1. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a die, of shoe protecting means associated therewith, and comprising spaced members arranged within said die, and yielding means for sustaining said members.

15. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a die, of shoe protect ing means associated therewith, a frame therefor, and means for supporting the frame from a fixed part of the machine, arranged to permit the protecting means to yield relatively to the die.

16. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a die, of shoe protecting means, and means for supporting the shoe protecting means arranged for yield ing movement in lines transverse and parallel to the path of movement of the die.

17. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a die and means for conforming the die to the shape of a shoe, of shoe protecting means, a resilient frame therefor, a rod for supporting said frame from the machine and cushioning means carriedby said rod arranged to permit relative movement between thedie and protecting means.

18. In a heel seat rounding machine, the combination with a yielding die, of means for supporting said die at a single point, whereby it is free to yield equally throughout in being shaped to a shoe.

19. In a heel seat rounding .machine, the combination with a die constructed to remove the surplus material from the heel seat of a shoe, of means for supporting said die at a single point located near its upper edge.

20. In a heel seat rounding machine, a yielding die constructed substantially in the form of the counter of a shoe, in combination with supporting means forsaid die located, approximately, at the rear of the die, and near its upper edge.

21. In a heel seat rounding machine, the combination with a die, of a die holder, a supporting rod for the die, and yielding means acting upon the rod to hold the die in its holder.

22. In a heel seat rounding machine, the combination with a yielding die, of a supporting rod therefor arranged for detachable engagement with the machine frame.

23. In a heel seat rounding machine, the combination with a die, of a supporting rod therefor, said rod being yieldingl mounted in the machine frame, and means or detachably securing said rod in position.

24. In a heel seat rounding machine, the combination with a die, of a die holder and yielding means for holding the die in its holder.

25. In a heel seat rounding machine, the combination with a yielding die, of a die holder comprising movable members constructed to embrace the die, a forked lever and cooperating devices between said forked lever and movable members whereby the latter are caused to shape thedie to a shoe.

26. In a heel seat rounding machine, the combination with a yielding die, of a die holder comprising movable members to cooperate therewith, said members having wedge-shaped projections, and means acting on said projections to cause the movable members to shape the die to a shoe.

27 In a heel seat rounding machine, the combination with a yielding die, of a die holder comprising movable members arranged to cooperate therewith, said members having wedge-shaped project-ions and a forked lever cooperating with said projections to shape the die to a shoe.

28. In a heel seat rounding machine, the combination with a die, of a die holder comprising movable members arranged to cooperate therewith and provided with wedgeshaped projections, and a forked lever the arms whereof are provided with adjust-able stud bolts to engage said Wedge-shaped projection s, whereby the die may be shaped to a shoe.

29. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a die and a rotatable cutting block cooperating therewith, of means permitting relative adjustment of the die and block forwardly and backwar dly as and forthe purpose described.

30. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a die and a rotatable 'cu tting block cooperating therewith, of

means permitting relative adjustment of the die and block in a direction to change later- Copies of this patent may be obtained for ally the position of the axis of rotation of the block whereby dilferent portions of the block may be subjected to wear by the die.

31. In a machineof the class described, the combination with a die holder, of a flexible die adapted for adjustment about and means to impart pressure to the die holder, said holder being constructedand arranged to impart to the die a straight line the counter of a shoe totrim the heel seat,

the combination of a die, a reciprocatory member for imparting pressure to said die, and means for adjusting the alinement of the die relatively to said member.

34:. In a machine of the class described,

the combination of a reciprocatory head, a

carriage sustained thereby, a die holder connected with said carriage, a die associated with said holder, and means for adjusting the alinement of said carriage relatively to said head.

35. In a machine of the class described, 7

the combination with a die of shoe protecting means associated therewith, said parts being arranged for relative movement in the direction of the cutting stroke of the die.

36. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a die, of shoe protecting means located within said die, said parts being arranged for relative movement in the direction of the cutting stroke of the die.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN v. ALLEN.

Witnesses: ELIZABETH C.COUPE, ARTHUR L. RUssELL.

five cents'eaeh,by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

